For a number of homeowners, there comes a point where they are faced with an important decision: to sell their current home and move, or renovate their existing space to fit their needs. The decision isn’t always in easy one; it entails looking at the market to see what’s available, examining the potential for a “forever” home, and seeing if a new neighborhood rivals an existing one.
The Doolittles are a perfect example of this dilemma. This local couple bought their...

A glare-filled picture but paint and trim are all done and it looks great. We also added some width and an overhang to the existing dormers to bring them into scale with the rest of the house and replaced the existing siding, windows and trim.
A view of the rear of the house. Trim and siding is wrapped up. Just a little bit left.
A finished shot of the upstairs bedroom. The clients did hand-drawn linework on the walls and picked a...

Another RDM Architecture + Hurst Construction project is well under way, in fact we're almost done with electrical and plumbing rough in on the first half of the project but have been busy and haven't had a chance to put together a post yet so this is going to the the first of a couple to catch up to where things are.
The existing house was designed by Morton Payne in the 60's and had survived pretty unchanged since then. We're...

Another update over at 2019. Siding and exterior trim is on and we're just waiting for paint. The interior is as well.
With the fireplace gone the space opened up but now that the walls and floors are continuous it finally seems like one large space. This view is looking toward what will be a built-in entertainment center and bench.
Another view of the new family room, looking toward the new door and window. Currently this leads to...

We're almost there!
The new drive is in. We were able to expand it enough to comfortable have two cars side by side without negatively affecting the existing tree. The house from the front doesn't look very different, though we did put in a new post and repair ther trim there. As you move around the side you can really see the length of the addition. We don't think it really looks like a garage though, especially with all...

Another update on the "cathedral". The exterior shingles are done and the trim is done.
Interior foam is done and the wall insulation is also done. The tabs for the new steel tie rods are ready to go.
Sheetrock should be going in soon but until there is a complicated little section of roof that needs some attention.
We'll have some more pictures coming up soon. Stay tuned!
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Wood beams are in. Roof is in. Ceiling is in.
Rather than see a wood plate on top of the steel beam we opted for welded tabs which not only make for a cleaner installation with makes it more structurally sound.
Other than paint this is what the side of the addition looks like. We like it.
A final shot of the beam. We like it.
Onward!
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Back in September this kitchen was featured in an article in Kansas City Homes & Gardens and while we were out there talking with the writer and catching up with the clients we had the photographer, Matt Kocourek, shoot a couple more pictures for us to round out the documentation of the project. We think it is some good architecture and the clients really love the new spaces, so take a look.
Thanks to everyone involved....

We finished up the design work on this project about a year ago but construction is just now starting. Below is a photo of the existing house. It is a typical Prairie Village house that we are going to transform inside and out.
By adding a small first floor addition we create a platform for a large addition on the upper floor for a new master bedroom. The additional first floor space allows for the extension of the overhang...

Another Belvedere post! We are now into the finished stuff. The stone front porch with brick edge is done as is the water element next to it. There is some beautiful stone work just on these two parts and they make a great introduction to the house.
The stone fireplace install continues. The hardest part is done. The main mantel is one large piece and weighs around 1800 lbs. It was rolled into place using rigging and a cart made from...